Personal Protective Equipment

1910.132 General Requirements

• (a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

Under OSHA, you are required to provide a hazard-free environment for your employees. Anyone encountering hazardous conditions must be protected against the potential hazards. The purpose of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) is to shield or isolate individuals from the chemical, physical, and biological hazards that may be present in the workplace.

In general, it is just good common sense to have PPE available for whatever emergency situation could arise in your operation. The use of PPE is specifically required by OSHA in 29 CFR 1910, in at least the following places:

• 1910.94(a)(5) - Abrasive Blasting
• 1910.95(b)(1) - Noise Exposure
• 1910.120 - Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
• 1910.137 - Electrical Protective Equipment
• 1910.156(f) - Fire Brigades
• 1910.252(b)(2) and (3) - Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
• 1910.261(b)(2) - Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills
• 1910.262(qq) - Textiles
• 1910.266(d)(1) - Logging Operations
• 1910.1000(d) - Asbestos Exposure
• 1910.1200(h)(2)(iii) - Hazard Communication Standard